The Go Ahead Boys and Simon's Mine

"The Go Ahead Boys and Simon's Mine" by Ross Kay is an adventure novel written during the early 20th century. The book follows a group of four boys known as the Go Ahead Boys—Fred Button, John Clemens, Grant, and George Washington Sanders—as they embark on an expedition to find a lost mine reportedly discovered by an old prospector named Simon Moultrie. Their journey takes them into the rugged and dangerous landscape of the American West, where they encounter both natural challenges and human adversaries. The opening of the story introduces the boys as they stumble upon a ghastly discovery in the desert: the skeleton of a man, presumably Simon Moultrie, along with some of his belongings, including a diary and prospecting tools. As they grapple with the grim scene, their curiosity and thrill for adventure are sparked. The boys decide to investigate further, setting them on a path filled with mystery as they decipher clues from Simon's diary, which hint at the location of his claimed mine. This beginning sets the stage for a narrative filled with exploration, camaraderie, and the pursuit of treasure, all while confronting the dangers of the wild.